Report Summary: “I feel like as a woman I’m not welcome”

Asylum Aid has recently published a new report entitled, “I feel like as a woman I’m not welcome”:  A gender analysis of UK asylum law, policy and practice. This report assesses whether the law, policy and practice on asylum are gender-sensitive in accordance with the UK’s obligations under international, European and national standards.

This is the first report that undertakes a gender analysis of law, policy and practice in all aspects of the UK asylum system and is a highly useful contribution to the field.

Despite being one of the only EU member states to have gender guidelines, research has shown UKBA’s failure to properly implement and follow their guidance instruction on Gender. This may contribute to decision-making problems.

In 2010, one third of asylum applications in the UK were lodged by women. In this year, 74% of asylum claims were refused.  Also in 2010, 32% of women had their asylum appeals allowed. The report considers a number of issues that contribute to the poor decision-making in gender-related claims, including late disclosure and the role of trauma in assessing credibility.

The report highlights a failure to take gender issues into account as part of the decision-making process and asylum procedure, including reception and detention conditions. In turn, this may seriously impede women asylum seekers from accessing a fair determination process without discrimination.

The report is available for download here.